Every week a Guardian Money reader submits a question, and it's up to you to help him or her out – a selection of the best answers will appear in next Saturday's paper.

This week's question

I've long been against buy-to-let as an idea, while my brother has bought three flats and is doing very well. He's asked me to join him with the next one and because my investments are doing terribly, I'm considering it. Should I overcome my distaste and restore my finances?